SKU: BT.AMP-028-130

The piece reflects the composer's fascination with the origins of the universe and deep space in general. The title comes from a theory, formulated by Pythagoras, that the cosmos was ruled by the same laws he had discovered that govern the ratios of note frequencies of the musical scale. (‘Harmonia’ in Ancient Greek, which means scale or tuning rather than harmony - Greek music was monophonic). He also believed that these ratios corresponded to the distances of the six known planets from the sun and that the planets each produced a musical note which combined to weave a continuous heavenly melody (which, unfortunately, we humans cannot hear). In this work, these six notesform the basis of the sections MUSIC OF THE SPHERES and HARMONIA. The pieces opens with a horn solo called t = 0, a name given by some scientists to the moment of the Big Bang when time and space were created, and this is followed by a depiction of the BIG BANG itself, as the entire universe bursts out from a single point. A slower section follows called THE LONELY PLANET which is a meditation on the incredible and unlikely set of circumstances which led to the creation of the Earth as a planet that can support life, and the constant search for other civilisations elsewhere in the universe. ASTEROIDS AND SHOOTING STARS depicts both the benign and dangerous objects that are flying through space and which constantly threaten our planet, and the piece ends with THE UNKNOWN, leaving in question whether our continually expanding exploration of the universe will eventually lead to enlightenment or destruction.

Dit werk weerspiegelt de fascinatie van de componist voor het heelal. Het begint met een hoornsolo met de naam t = 0, waarmee sommige wetenschappers de oerknal aanduiden. Dan volgt een weergave van de oerknal zelf. Het volgendegedeelte, The Lonely Planet, is een meditatie over het ongelooflijke samenspel van omstandigheden dat leidde tot het ontstaan van de Aarde. Asteroids and Shooting Stars beschrijft objecten in de ruimte. Het werkeindigt met The Unknown, waarmee we in het ongewisse blijven over de gevolgen van onze verdere verkenning van het universum. In 2005 won Philip Sparke met Music of the Spheres de National Band Association/William D.Revelli Memorial Band Composition Contest.

Mit diesem großartigen Werk, das dem Auftraggeber der Yorkshire Building Society Band am Europäischen Brass Band Wettbewerb 2004 in Glasgow als Selbstwahlstück zu einem weiteren Titel verhalf, beweist Philip Sparke einmal mehr seine außergewöhnlichen kompositorischen Fähigkeiten. Dieses Werk über die Ursprünge des Universums führt uns vom Urknall, vorbei an einsamen Planeten, Asteroiden und Sternschnuppen schließlich ins Unbekannte - die ungewisse Zukunft. Ein Glanzstück und eine echte Herausforderung für jeden Spitzen-Brass Band!

La fresque Music of the Spheres (“La musique des sphères”) souligne la fascination qu’éprouve le compositeur pour les origines de l’univers. L’orchestration est proche de la musique de film. Le climat musical est ample, sonore et contrasté.

Music of the Spheres evidenza il fascino che le origini dell’universo esercitano su Philip Sparke. Il titolo proviene da una teoria del matematico greco Pitagora, secondo la quale il cosmo è retto dalle stesse leggi che governano i rapporti di frequenza tra le note della scala musicale. Questa composizione inizia con un assolo di corno chiamato t = 0, nozione che definisce il momento del big-bang. The Lonely Planet (Il pianeta solitario) è una meditazione sulle circostanze che hanno portato alla creazione della terra. Asteroids and Shooting Stars (Asteroidi e Stelle cadenti) descrive i molteplici oggetti che si muovono nello spazio e che rappresentano unrischio per il nostro pianeta. Le battute finali portano verso l’ignoto (The Unknown) sollevando una domanda la cui risposta resta in sospeso: la nostra continua avanzata nell’esplorazione dell’Universo porter un giorno alla scoperta o alla distruzione?

SKU: BT.AMP-142-030

9x12 inches.

Over a period of four decades Jimmy Webb (b. 1946) has written hits for a number of singers including Glen Campbell, Art Garfunkel, Frank Sinatra, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Linda Ronstadt. His songs are often epic in character and include By the Time I Get to Phoenix; Up, Up and Away; Didn’t We; Wichita Lineman and Galveston. MacArthur Park (1968) was unlike anything that had gone before it. Running at over 7 minutes, it is 2 or 3 times the length of most pop songs and has an extended orchestral interlude. Richard Harris’ seminal recording topped the music charts in Europe, while peaking at number two on the U.S. charts. Philip Sparke has made this excellentarrangement for brass band, which is sure to become a regular feature on your concert programme.

MacArthur Park van Jimmy Webb, een nummer dat uitkwam in 1968, was niet te vergelijken met alles wat daarvoor was gemaakt. Met een duur van meer dan zeven minuten is deze song twee of drie keer zo lang als de meeste popsongs,ook het orkestraal tussenspel is bijzonder. Richard Harris’ originele opname stond bovenaan in de hitparades van Europa en op nummer 2 in de Verenigde Staten. Philip Sparke schreef een fantastisch arrangement dat zowel uw muzikantenals uw publiek zal aanspreken.

Jimmy Webbs Musik kennt jeder: sei es als Musik zur Fernsehserie Emergency Room oder als einen der Hits von großen Stars wie Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, Linda Ronstadt und vielen anderen. Mit dem Popsong MacArthur Park gelang dem stets kontroversen, aber äußerst erfolgreichen Sänger und Komponisten ein Riesenhit im Jahr 1968. Das Lied über eine verlorene Liebe ist ungewöhnlich lang für einen Popsong und es enthält ein ausgearbeitetes Orchester-Zwischenspiel. Grund genug für Philip Sparke, diesen besonderen, unvergessenen Hit für Brass Band zu bearbeiten.

Pendant plus de quarante ans, Jimmy Webb (1946) a composé des chansons succès pour divers artistes tels que Glen Campbell, Art Garfunkel, Frank Sinatra, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash et Linda Ronstadt. En 1968, il écrit MacArthur Park, une chanson complètement novatrice. D’une durée de plus de sept minutes, elle est deux trois fois plus longue que la plupart des succès pop et contient un grand interlude orchestral. La version d’anthologie de MacArthur Park, interprétée et enregistrée par Richard Harris, s’est classée en tête des hit-parades européens et numéro 2 aux États-Unis.

Per oltre quarant’anni, Jimmy Webb (1946) ha composto canzoni di successo per artisti come Glen Campbell, Art Garfunkel, Frank Sinatra, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash e Linda Ronstadt. Nel 1968, scrive MacArthur Park, una canzone totalmente innovativa. Di una durata di oltre sette minuti, è da due a tre volte più lunga della gran parte dei successi pop e contiene un interludio orchestrale. La versione d’antologia di MacArthur Park, interpretata e incisa da Richard Harris è stata in testa alle hit-parades europee e n. 2 negli Stati Uniti.

SKU: BT.DHP-1236495-130

English-German-French-Dutch.

SKU: BT.GOB-000495-130

From the composer:

High Flyers are regarded as people with promise and potential.They are winners.
This is music for winners.

The title, as well as being a play-on-words, implies the nature of the work. It is a bright, optimistic, and upbeat piece attempting to depict an exhilarating ride on flying carpet.
The opening rising chords immediately suggest the gentle elevation of the carpets' ascent towards unknown heights, leading to a hint of a first theme in the horns at Fig. B.
The first four notes provide the thematic material for the whole work: C F G A.
A perpetual sense of movement is achieved through accented quaver chords punctuating the melodicmaterial of the first main theme.
Fig. E sees the music of the opening bars fully realised, with flourishes from the euphonium and baritones representing swirling clouds, shooting stars, or passing birds in flight.
The same subject is developed into a lyrical second theme with a new lush harmonic treatment, evocative of gliding over an expanse of sparse countryside.This section ends with a note of serenity but is shattered by the urgent insistence of the percussion rhythms.
The third section introduces a new idea with a slightly distorted fanfare in the cornets and trombones.
This figure suggests for the first time that there may be trouble ahead. In fact, there is no need to fear and the journey can continue without aggravation. This fanfare returns near the end to signal a final note of triumph.
A new rhythmic variant of the cell motif emerges as the third theme now transformed by the addition of a triplet figure.
The music steadily gains momentum before moving inexorably towards the climactic return of the music and tonality of the opening bars of the piece.

SKU: BT.GOB-000793-130

‘Mixed Bag’ stands midway between a collection and a hotchpotch. It is a colourful compilation of four completely different pieces, each with its own specific character.

The first part is called ‘Tanguillo’ : as its name suggests, this Spanish dance is related to the Tango.
In the next part, ‘Maybe next time ....’ a repeated bass line (Passacaglia) can be heard, first solo, but thereafter gradually the other instruments join in.
The third part forms a huge contrast did the former part have a Baroque atmosphere, ‘Rock Hard’ seems to have come directly from the Rock ‘n Roll era, reminding us of stars such as Bill Haley and Elvis Presley.
The finale is acheerful, inciting movement called ‘Gypsy Dance’.

Mixed Bag’ houdt het midden tussen collectie en ratjetoe. Het is een bonte verzameling van vier verschillende stukjes met ieder een heel eigen karakter.

Het eerste deel heet ‘Tanguillo’. Dit is een Spaanse dans, die zoalsde naam al doet vermoeden verwantschap vertoont met de Tango.
Daarna volgt ‘Maybe next time ....’. Dit deel bestaat uit een steeds herhalende baslijn (Passacaglia). De eerste keer solo, vervolgens komen de andere instrumentenerbij.
Het derde deel vormt een groot contrast. Ademde deel twee vooral een Baroksfeer uit, ‘Rock Hard’ komt rechtstreeks uit de Rock ‘n Roll tijd van Bill Haley en Elvis Presley.
De afsluiting is vrolijk en een tikkeltjeopzwepend: ‘Gypsy Dance’.

SKU: BT.DHP-0900235-030

How do you fancy spending Christmas down under on the beach in the searing heat? You can now escape from the cold with this suite of Australian Christmas carols. Includes Carol of The Birds, The Silver Stars in the Sky, Christmas Day and The Three Drovers.